NEW YORK — A London-based hairdresser has made it his life’s work to travel to cities around the globe to meet homeless people and connect with them on the most basic human level, by giving them haircuts. This week, he made another trip to New York City and PIX11 caught up with him.

Joshua Coombes started the social media movement #DoSomethingForNothing.

“It’s a way of amplifying kindness, what I do is cut hair of people on the street who are homeless, but your do something for nothing might be very different,” Coombes said.

Coombes is hoping to inspire people all over the world to “do something for nothing,” essentially, to give back.

“Really, this is about anything you love doing, going out and giving it. It’s no longer charity, its connection and you’re going to love and you’re going to love what you’re doing as much as the person is going to love getting it,” Coombes said.

Coombes says he approaches people and strikes up a conversation.

“The common conversation and connection, I think we’re hard-wired for that as humans and that’s always how it starts for me, it’s ‘hey how are you how you doing today can I sit down next to you can I talk to you.’ It’s the way you would talk to anyone in life. Really it’s no different. This is how it starts and then I carry things in my backpack and say ‘hey if you want a haircut, great, but if not, I’m still gonna have a conversation. A haircut is usually a fun reaction, actually it’s ‘hey, I haven’t had my haircut for a while' and then you get this transformation in a person. Forget the haircut. Actually, it’s the transition and the connecting with someone.”

A look at his Instagram shows he’s been to cities like Anchorage, Paris, Berlin and Sydney, in just the past several months. The movement is coming up on three years and, in that time, Coombes has given haircuts to hundreds of strangers in dozens of cities. But it’s not about the numbers, it’s about giving each person a voice.

“You’re going to meet people who had a business five years ago who have gone down that spiral, who was in a situation that looked really safe, but you’re also going to meet people who had a start in life that would never have as much opportunity as the rest of us,” Coombes said.

He says he has a fondness in his heart for New York City. He’s cut hair all over the city.

“This place is so alive, with every moment and every part of the city. I just love the people. I have some really amazing moments with people here it’s a fast pace with lots going, being able to create a little pocket of community in a big city. It’s a really nice feeling,” Coombes said.

Coombes relies on sponsors to help pay for his travel to different cities. Right now, Lush Cosmetics company is his key sponsor. But at the heart of all this, he says he’s found his life’s work. The reward is in the strangers he meets.

“For me, it’s about the magic in a person, what I really try and do is have interaction, to give me that magic too, cause you know when I go out and do this, it’s not charity, it’s really as much for me as well," Coombes said. "I meet some really beautiful people with amazing stories to tell and I’m trying to document it in a light that’s not sad. Actually it’s the happiness you find in someone, it’s the humanness that we can all relate to."

TEMPLE CITY, Calif. – A California man and his adult daughter have been charged with having an illegal cache of weapons, including more than a dozen assault rifles, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Wednesday.

Attorney General Xavier Becerra, second from left, stands on Feb. 21, 2018, next to L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey near a weapons cache seized at Steven Ponder's Temple City home. (Credit: KTLA)

The case against Steven David Ponder, 57, and Riley Elizabeth Ponder, 27, was filed Tuesday following a Valentine’s Day raid on Steven Ponder’s home.

Ponder is banned from owning a gun because of his previous 2001 felony convictions for possession of a machine gun and counterfeiting money, Becerra said at a news conference in downtown L.A.

State Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms investigators who raided the Ponder home were looking for four illegal firearms that Ponder had registered, the attorney general said.

They found 28 firearms and 66,000 rounds of ammunition. The cache included:

13 AR-15-style rifles

11 “ghost guns” with no serial number, meaning they can’t be traced

two fully automatic machine guns

several rounds of tracer ammunition

A weapons cache seized at Steven Ponder's Temple City home is shown at a downtown L.A. news conference on Feb. 21, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)

"If someone has this kind of firepower and they are going through great pains to make sure that it isn't traceable, it is for ill-gotten gains," said L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, who announced the charges against the Ponders.

Ponder's home was raided after he appeared in a unique state database – the Armed Prohibited Persons System, or APPS – that cross-references criminal and restraining order records with gun registration records.

Becerra emphasized that the type of action conducted against the Ponders is done only in California because of that database, the creation of which was authorized under state law in 2001.

The bill that called for the creation of the database was authored by Jim Brulte, who was then a state senator from Rancho Cucamonga and is now the chairman of the California Republican Party. The database first went into use in 2007, and $24 million was appropriated in 2013 to address a backlog in the system.

“We’re the only state that does this. It’s a shame – because we see tragedies occur way too often, and mass killings,” Becerra said.

A news release from Becerra's office describes California as the "first and only state in the nation to establish an automated system for tracking firearm owners who might fall into a prohibited status."

Some 2,000 people in L.A. County remain on the APPS list, down from 5,000 three years ago, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing Samuel Richardson, the Bureau of Firearms supervisor who oversees state agents who seize illegal guns.

Richardson described his agents' work as "one of the most dangerous jobs in law enforcement."

In the Ponder case, investigators found during the search that the daughter was allegedly in illegal possession of a weapon and ammunition. She was arrested immediately but posted bail and was released the next day, Feb. 15, when Steven Ponder was arrested. He was released on bail Feb. 16, the DA's office said.

Part of a weapons cache seized at Steven Ponder's Temple City home is shown at a downtown L.A. news conference on Feb. 21, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)

Booking photos of the pair have not been released.

Steven Ponder has been charged with: possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a destructive device, unlawful assault weapon/.50 BMG rifle activity, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a machine gun and possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun.

Riley Ponder has been charged with: possession of an assault weapon, possession of destructive device and prohibited transfer of firearms.

They are both due for arraignment in Alhambra court — the father on March 19 and the daughter on March 8. Steven Ponder faces up to eight years in state prison if convicted as charged; his daughter could face five years.

The announcement of the arrest of the Ponders comes about two weeks after L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer revealed the raid of the home of a North Hollywood man, Mark Morman, in a search of two illegal weapons. Investigators found 25 illegal weapons, 2,000 rounds of ammunition and 44 magazines at Morman's home.

In September, Morman had a domestic violence criminal protective order issued against him that required him to sell or surrender his firearms. The Morman case also involved the APPS list and the raid was carried out by agents with the state Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms.

The state says the number of people in the APPS database are now at a historic low.

]]>34.107231 -118.05784634.107231-118.057846guns4alizachasanAttorney General Xavier Becerra, second from left, stands on Feb. 21, 2018, next to L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey near a weapons cache seized at Steven Ponder's Temple City home. (Credit: KTLA)A weapons cache seized at Steven Ponder's Temple City home is shown at a downtown L.A. news conference on Feb. 21, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)Part of a weapons cache seized at Steven Ponder's Temple City home is shown at a downtown L.A. news conference on Feb. 21, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)Dozens rally in support of Queens student after school refuses to allow ‘Malcolm X’ on senior shirthttp://pix11.com/2018/02/21/dozens-rally-in-support-of-queens-student-after-school-refuses-to-allow-malcolm-x-on-senior-shirt/
Thu, 22 Feb 2018 03:17:17 +0000http://pix11.com/?p=501971

MIDDLE VILLAGE, Queens — Dozens rallied Wednesday in support of a Queens high school student who was told by his school that he could not have the name Malcolm X printed on the back of his senior sweater — even though that is his real name.

Malcolm Xavier Combs, 17, is a student at Christ the King High School. He requested that his first name and middle initial be printed on the back of his senior sweater. He was summoned into the assistant principal's office and told that his request had been denied.

“[The assistant principal] told me she couldn’t put my name on a sweater... said she did not want to be associated with that name," he said.

The honor roll student was told could have his first name, his last name or Malcolm Xavier on his sweater, but not Malcolm X. The school said they didn’t want to be associated with anyone controversial, according to Combs.

“I was in shock in this year that she would say something like that," he said.

His parents were also shocked and asked for help from civil rights organization National Action Network, founded by the Reverend Al Sharpton. Sharpton and Malcolm X's daughter Ilyasah Shabazz have rallied in support of the teen.

Christ the King High School told PIX11 News that their policy has always been to allow students to use either their first or last name on the senior sweatshirt. Nicknames, middle names and middle initials have never been allowed.

]]>malcolm xandreacavallierpixSuperintendent of Florida school shooting district: ‘We don’t need to put guns in the hands of teachers’http://pix11.com/2018/02/21/superintendent-of-florida-school-shooting-district-we-dont-need-to-put-guns-in-the-hands-of-teachers/
Thu, 22 Feb 2018 02:43:36 +0000http://pix11.com/?p=501966The superintendent for the district that includes the Florida high school where 17 people were shot last week said arming teachers is not the solution to school shootings, after President Donald Trump suggested that schools give staff firearms to improve safety.

“We don’t need to put guns in the hands of teachers. You know what we need? We need to arm our teachers with more money in their pocket,” said Robert Runcie, the Broward County Public Schools superintendent.

At a listening session Wednesday at the White House, Trump met with several family members and students who have been affected by school shootings.

“This would be obviously only for people who were very adept at handling a gun, and it would be, it’s called concealed carry, where a teacher would have a concealed gun on them. They’d go for special training and they would be there and you would no longer have a gun-free zone,” Trump said at the event. “Gun-free zone to a maniac — because they’re all cowards — a gun-free zone is ‘Let’s go in and let’s attack because bullets aren’t coming back at us.’ ”

Runcie was addressing the crowd gathered for CNN’s town hall, “Stand Up: The Students of Stoneman Douglas Demand Action” on Wednesday evening in Sunrise, Florida.

Seventeen people were shot and killed last Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which has sparked a renewed call on lawmakers for action on gun laws.

]]>gunalizachasanCouple accused of molesting 5-year-old son may have sexually abused their dogshttp://pix11.com/2018/02/21/california-couple-accused-of-molesting-5-year-old-son-may-have-sexually-abused-their-dogs/
Thu, 22 Feb 2018 01:39:54 +0000http://pix11.com/?p=501956VICTORVILLE, Calif. – A California couple accused of sexually abusing their then 5-year-old son may also have committed sexual acts on their dogs, officials officials announced Wednesday.

Roy Ling and Sara Wilson are shown in photos released by the Victorville Police Department on Feb. 21, 2018.

An investigation began in August 2013 when the victim disclosed that he was sexually abused by his parents, Roy Ling, 35, and Sara Wilson, 32. At the time, however, the victim and his parents were transients.

Details about the alleged abuse were not provided Wednesday.

The investigation continued in March 2014, but the suspects were not found.

Finally, in December, officials found Ling and Wilson in the riverbed area of Victorville. Investigators also had information that the suspects may have committed sexual acts on their dogs, but no further information about that accusation was provided.

Detectives provided additional information to the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office and arrest warrants were issued for Ling and Wilson on Feb. 14. They were arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of lascivious acts with a child. Their bail was set at $200,000 each.

President Donald Trump holds his notes while hosting a listening session with students survivors of mass shootings, their parents and teachers in the State Dining Room at the White House on February 21, 2018 in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump heard emotional stories Wednesday from people affected by the nation’s deadliest school shootings, and it appears he had an assist in responding to some of the powerful testimony.

In a photo from the event taken by Getty Images photographer Chip Somodevilla, the President is holding a piece of White House stationery with five discussion points written in black marker.

The visible points include prompts such as “1. What would you most want me to know about your experience?” “2. What can we do to help you feel safe?” and “5. I hear you.”

Trump didn’t appear to use the visible prompts, but he did cast a tender tone during the event, saying he grieved for those affected.

He was briefed by White House officials before participating in the listening and did not use a teleprompter during the event.

“We’re fighting hard for you and we will not stop,” Trump said. “I just grieve for you, I feel so — to me, there could be nothing worse than what you’ve gone through.”

He continued, “Thank you for pouring out your hearts because the world is watching and we’re going to come up with a solution.”

VENTURA, Calif. – A California motorist who led officers on a pursuit was found dead in his vehicle Wednesday morning, apparently after ingesting some type of poison, the California Highway Patrol said.

A suspect was found dead in a vehicle after a pursuit ended in Ventura on Feb. 21, 2018. (Credit: KTLA)

The suspect, who was being sought by the Los Angeles Police Department as a "possible rapist," was first spotted driving on the northbound 101 in Oxnard, according to CHP Officer Kevin Denharder.

CHP pursued him into Ventura until he pulled over to the right shoulder just north of Seaward Avenue, he said. Then, the man's car appeared to drift across all lanes of the northbound 101 Freeway until it ended up in the center divider.

Officers approached the stopped vehicle and thought the driver had been shot, but soon realized no weapons had been fired, either by CHP or the suspect, according to Denharder. Instead, investigators believe he took some kind of poison.

A liquid was found in the vehicle, according to the newspaper. Police believe the suspect died of "self-inflicted poisoning."

The discovery of the deceased man came about 9:45 a.m., more than two hours after LAPD contacted CHP to alert them about the suspect, the Ventura County Star reported.

Authorities have not identified the suspect, nor did they release any more details about the incident.

The Nos. 1 and 2 northbound lanes have been shut down while CHP investigates, leaving only one lane open on that side of the highway. It was unclear how long the lane closures would last.

]]>34.274646 -119.22903234.274646-119.229032venturaalizachasanA suspect was found dead in a vehicle after a pursuit ended in Ventura on Feb. 21, 2018. (Credit: KTLA) 3rd child death associated with flu reported in New Jerseyhttp://pix11.com/2018/02/21/3rd-child-death-associated-with-flu-reported-in-new-jersey/
Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:12:27 +0000http://pix11.com/?p=501945TRENTON, N.J. — State health officials have confirmed the third death of a New Jersey child associated with the flu this season.

The 7-year-old Elizabeth girl died over the weekend. The state health department announced Wednesday that tests have confirmed the child had the flu, but did not disclose the child’s name.

The girl’s passing follows the flu-related deaths of a 6-year-old Hudson County girl who died earlier this month and a 4-year-old girl from the central part of the state who died in December.

Health officials continue to urge residents to get flu shots and take precautions such as washing or disinfecting hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home if sick. They say the flu season can last until May

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN — It's a safety and security hazard that's been getting worse lately. Bicycle delivery workers keep riding into the Lincoln Tunnel, and in the most recent incident, police said they had to lock the cyclist up.

On Tuesday around 6 p.m., a bicycle deliveryman for a food app joined the 43,000 cars, buses, and trucks that travel into the tunnel daily, police said. Even though every entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel displays a sign showing that no bicycles are allowed, cyclist Bruce Lee, 19, entered on his bike.

He told them that he's named after the legendary martial arts actor, police sources told PIX11 News. Lee also told them that he was following the GPS directional app on his mobile phone in order to make his delivery. It had directed him into the tunnel, the bike deliveryman from Staten Island said.

Unlike his legendary namesake, Lee apparently did not consider his hands to be weapons, however. Police said that they'd found a dagger on Lee, and had to arrest him.

It was something being talked about on Wednesday by the dozens of bike delivery workers who operate near the tunnel entrance.

"I could see it being dark, I can see him going though there,"bike courier Jonathan Jones said . "But you should have the instinct as a New Yorker to not go into the tunnel."

Motorists also were skeptical.

"That's ridiculous," one driver said, waiting at a red light before driving into the tunnel from Midtown. "It's clearly marked that its a tunnel. There's something going on."

Andrew Young, general manager of Breakaway Courier Systems, whose office is half a block from the tunnel entrance, knows what was going on.

"It's always about the app," Young said.

He said that one of his employees had driven his bicycle into the tunnel last year, and that "it took three hours" to get the man released from Port Authority Police questioning. Young said that it was understandable that officers wanted to take every precaution.

At the same time, Young said, that he's seen how misunderstandings can happen.

"Especially with immigrants here," he said. "They follow an app" to the letter and because it says so, they do what they think they're supposed to be doing."

Young said that it's now become part of his company's training to instruct bike delivery workers on how to ensure they don't ride into a tunnel entrance.

]]>40.762491 -74.00991440.762491-74.009914promo343525724alizachasanDeputies to carry rifles on schools grounds in Florida county where shooter killed 17http://pix11.com/2018/02/21/deputies-to-carry-rifles-on-schools-grounds-in-florida-county-where-shooter-killed-17/
Wed, 21 Feb 2018 23:56:07 +0000http://pix11.com/?p=501935TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The sheriff of the Florida county where a shooter killed 17 people at a high school last week has ordered all deputies who qualify to begin carrying rifles on school grounds.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said at a news conference Wednesday that the rifles will be locked in a patrol car when not in use until the agency secures gun locks and lockers.

The sheriff said the school district’s superintendent fully supports his decision.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High’s school resource office was carrying a weapon when the shooting happened last week but did not discharge his firearm. It’s unclear what role he played in trying to thwart the shooter and whether he was aware of suspect Nikolas Cruz’s past behavior at the school.

The sheriff said those details are still being investigated.

]]>Shooting At High School In Parkland, Florida Injures Multiple Peopleandreacavallierpix